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Widemouth 2 Fire Helicopter Crash Rescue Attempt 2026

  • Incident Information:

    Attachment Size
    Widemouth 2 Fire Helicopter Crash Rescue Attempt RLS.pdf (1.31 MB) 1.31 MB

  • Location:

    Utah

  • Date:

    08/07/2026

  • Incident Type:

    Entrapment

  • Description:

    This Rapid Lesson Sharing (RLS) report describes the events surrounding the attempted rescue operation following the fatal helicopter crash on the Widemouth 2 Fire in Utah. It does not address the crash itself.

    After the helicopter accident occurred, the IWI Commander directed nearby ground resources, including the Type 2IA crew, two Fireline Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTF), one Fireline Paramedic (EMPF), and the Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB), to gain access to the crash site.

    As the resources attempted to gain access to the crash site, fire activity picked up, forcing the responding resources to retreat. As the resources travelled down their escape routes, four firefighters became entrapped in a meadow. 

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